Death, Dying, and Grief: End of Life Decisions

Death, Dying and Grief: Case Study on Death and Dying
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Death, Dying and Grief: Case Study on Death and Dying
End-of-life decisions in healthcare are some of the most challenging experiences faced by both the care providers and patients. Healthcare practitioners, for instance, face an ethical dilemma when faced with such requests from their terminally ill patients. A conflict of principles of bioethics ensues in such situations. A conflict of the principles of respect for the patient's autonomy and nonmaleficence would create an ethical dilemma for the caregiver CITATION Var21 \l 1033 (Varkey, 2021). Similarly, the patient's cultural or religious background may also create a dilemma in an end-of-life decision-making scenario. For example, the Christian worldview, whose principles and perceptions of life are from the Bible, deems voluntary euthanasia as unethical and in contradiction to the teachings of Christianity. The End of life decisions case study on George, who is diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), raises such ethical and moral dilemmas. According to the case study, George's diagnosis will eventually render him immobile and unable to speak, eat, and breathe, making him dependent on others to perform everyday functions. He is contemplating the possibility of euthanasia to avoid the inevitable outcome and uphold his dignity and power, for the disease is incurable. George faces an end-of-life decision-making scenario that invites the application of different perspectives that patients would take to address the ethical or moral issues arising from similar situations. The Christian worldview and worldview perspectives are some of the standpoints that would help understand George's situation of dying and inform his decision on death. Provided herein is an ethical analysis of George's situation and decision from the Christian worldview perspective.
Interpretation of George's suffering from the Christian Narrative on the Fallenness of the World
The fallenness of the word refers to the genesis of human suffering in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve went against God's instruction and tasted the forbidden fruit CITATION She21 \l 1033 (Shelly, 2021). Their disobedience unleashed the wrath of God on human beings as they were chased away from the comforts of Eden to wander and suffer in the world as they fend for themselves. The sin committed by Adam and Eve unleashed evil upon human beings. In essence, the fallenness of the world marked the beginning of human suffering after humanity's separation from God in the Garden of Eden.
Consequently, falling sick or suffering a terminal illness can be easily perceived as a form of suffering the outcome of one's sins or sinful life. According to the Christian narrative on the fallenness of the world, committing a sin or leading a sinful life makes human beings fall short of God's will and purpose for their lives. Hence, George may interpret his suffering from ALS and inevitable death from the same as a consequence of his sins or sinful nature as a human being. Though there are other Christian worldview perspectives to evaluate and interpret George's situation and decision, the narrative on the fallenness of the world limits the interpretation of his suffering to be a consequence or a punitive measure to sinning.
Interpretation of George's suffering from the Christian Narrative on the Hope of Resurrection
The Christian narrative on the hope of resurrection stems from the suffering of Jesus Christ, who faced persecution from worldly authorities and was crucified as penance for humanity's sinful nature. According to the Christian teachings from the Bible, Jesus was the son of God whom He sent to liberate humanity from the burden of sin and other forms of human suffering CITATION She21 \l 1033 (Shelly, 2021). Jesus is the prophesied son of God who would be crucified to death and rise from the dead on the third day to become the Christian faith for salvation against sin and death for eternal life CITATION She21 \l 1033 (Shelly, 2021). The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ transcend the fallenness of the world by remedying humanity from the curse of sin. Jesus offers salvation to sin, suffering, and death upon repentance of one's sins. The Christian narrative on resurrection offers the same hope to George. He can choose to repent his sins and endure the disease until his death, like Jesus suffered persecution and death, hoping to resurrect in eternity where there is no more suffering.
How the Christian Worldview would inform George's View about the Value of His Life as a Person
The Christian worldview encourages the perception of one's life as a precious gift from God that should be held in high regard even in sickness. The quality of one's life should not jeopardize the sanctity of the sacred nature of God's gift to humankind. According to biblical teachings, only God holds the mandate to give and take away the precious gift of life and that no human being should assume that role CITATION Sha05 \l 1033 (Shahan, 2005). Exercising one's free will to take their own life is forbidden by God and is s...